SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 13, 2020) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E., as state engineer and director of the Utah Division of Water Rights. Wilhelmsen has worked for the division for the past 23 years and currently serves as assistant state engineer.
Prior to that, she served as regional engineer at the Utah Lake and Jordan River Regional Office, and as the division’s adjudication program manager. Before joining the division, Wilhelmsen worked for the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. She is a professional engineer and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
“Utah faces a number of difficult challenges surrounding water. It’s one of the most pressing issues facing the state,” said Gov. Herbert. “Teresa’s experience, background and tenacity uniquely qualify her as we work toward addressing these complex policy decisions.”
Upon Senate confirmation, Wilhelmsen will replace former State Engineer Kent Jones who retired last November. Boyd Clayton has been serving as interim state engineer since Jones’s retirement. Clayton previously served as division deputy director and will retire this spring.